The Home Tavern has been closed since 2018. Photo: Chris Roe.
The NSW Government’s alcohol regulator has approved the moving of a liquor licence from the former Home Tavern in Wagga’s CBD to a new $10 million mega-pub that will be built in Estella, despite an objection lodged by NSW Police.
Pub operators the O’Hara Group are building a three-storey pub at 77 Avocet Drive in Estella. It’s set to be the biggest in Wagga, with developers hoping it’ll open by Christmas 2027.
A decision handed down by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) last month paves the way for the Estella hotel to sell booze on its premises from 10 am to 2 am and takeaway alcohol from its on-site bottle shop between 10 am and 12 am.
The new venue gains a liquor licence that has been transferred from 142 Fitzmaurice Street, the site of the iconic Home Tavern, which shut its doors in 2018 after 150 years of trading. The run-down tavern building was earmarked for demolition but remains standing.
NSW Police lodged a partial objection to the transfer, citing the Estella pub’s reluctance to participate in the local liquor accord – a partnership between Wagga pubs, businesses and police to work together to combat antisocial behaviour.
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The venue also objected to the CCTV condition proposed by police and the proposed condition of closing the first floor early.
ILGA chairperson Caroline Lamb also highlighted other concerns.
“We accept that the proposal could contribute to an increase in alcohol-related harm,” she wrote in her published decision.
She noted Estella had a higher-than-average crime rate and a high Indigenous population.
Plans for the new Estella mega-pub. Photo: Estella Hotel Holdings Unit Trust.
However, she said, on balance, there were more arguments in favour of allowing the new pub to have a liquor licence.
“Acoustic measures will be implemented and installed at the proposed premises before it opens for trade,” she wrote.
“Although the size of the proposed premises is larger, the proposed patron capacity is almost half that of the existing capacity.”
Ms Lamb noted it would be the only licensed hotel in the suburb and there were no community objections to the application.
“We are satisfied that the proposal would benefit the local and broader communities by providing increased convenience and choice,” she concluded.
The licence includes a restriction preventing the hotel and bottle shop from selling alcohol for six consecutive hours every day – from 4 am to 10 am.
The regulator’s decision means there will soon be four shops in the northern suburbs of Estella and Boorooma that sell alcohol, including the Foodworks supermarket, BP service station and the planned Coles Express – which are all located within walking distance of each other.
The Estella mega-pub, which will include poker machines, a function room, bistro and more than three bars, had its development application approved by Wagga Council earlier this year, despite some concerns by community members about its late closing time and the impact of noise on nearby residents.
Anyone wishing for a review of the ILGA decision to approve the liquor licence can make an application (for a fee) to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
